By Miriam Raftery

May 3, 2019 (Santee) -- A workshop describing the controversial Fanita Ranch proposed master-planned community will be held during a regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 8th. The workshop is designed to provide information to the public about the project. No actions on the project will be taken at this meeting.

By Gig Connaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

May 1, 2019 (Lakeside) - San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Wednesday to move ahead with a $7.5 million first-phase improvement project for the popular Lindo Lake County Park in Lakeside.

East County News Service 

May 1, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Spring is here – time to lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails. The County is offering a series of special hikes in county parks, from leisurely strolls to a rugged “Warrior hike challenge” up El Capitan.

Find details below provided by County Parks: 

By Ken Stone 

Reprinted with permission from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Destiny Guns, 22, escaped from La Colinas women’s jail in Santee about 6 p.m. Saturday. Photo via Sheriff’s Department

April 13, 2019 (Santee) - When 22-year-old Destiny Guns jumped walls and fences Saturday night at Las Colinas women’s jail, she made local history — as the first-ever escapee from the Santee lockup.

But Thursday night, she ended a manhunt with her arrest in the parking lot of the jail, said sheriff’s spokeswoman Melissa Aquino.

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

April 7, 2019 (Lakeside) - Día de los Niños and Día de los Libros is more than a one-day affair at the County Library. Events celebrating Children’s Day/Book Day will take place throughout the month of April.

Mexico and many Latin American countries celebrate Día de Los Niños on April 30 but libraries across the U.S. now tie Children’s Day to the importance of books and literacy for children.

By Miriam Raftery 

March 30, 2018 (Santee) – The Sheriff’s department is warning the public about a man who tried to lure a 9-year-old girl into his silver convertible vehicle on Thursday at 8 p.m.  The girl was riding her bicycle in the 8000 block of Poplin drive in Santee when the man asked if she wanted a ride to a “game,” says Sgt. Kamon Harris.

East County News Service

March 26, 2019 (San Diego's East County) – The 14 Chick-fil-A® restaurants in San Diego County, including the two in East County, will offer a free breakfast entrée this week to guests who create or log in to their Chick-fil-A app account. From now till March 30, guests have a choice of Chick-fil-A Chicken Biscuit, a Chick-n-Mini (4-count), an Egg White Grill or Hash Brown Scramble. Chick-fil-A restaurants in East County are located at 9418 Mission Gorge Road in Santee and 8200 Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa.

Update March 21:  This individual has been found and is safe.

By Miriam Raftery

March 20, 2019 (Santee) - A search is underway for Jose “Raul” Martinez, a 63-year-old patient reported missing yesterday from Edgemoor Hospital, a skilled nursing care facility at 655 Park Center Drive in Santee.  He suffers from medical conditions and may become disoriented.

He is Hispanic and was last seen waring a black jacket, dark jeans and white shoes. He is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

“If Supervisors approve it, there will be a lawsuit by citizens and environmental groups to stop it … Perhaps Bill Adams will engage in good faith negotiations with anyone interested in buying this 400+ acre property. It might be better to get out now while there is some profit to be made.” – Catherine Tancredi Clothey

By Catherine Trancredi Clothey

Photo by Billy Ortiz

March 19, 2019 (Lakeside) -- What is the status of the sand mine project proposed by Bill Adams and his El Monte Nature Preserve partners and money lenders?

I write this as a Lakeside resident (as Catherine Clothey) and as an attorney (as Catherine Tancredi). In the mid 1990s, I represented a local group who sued to stop the Fashion Valley trolley extension due to CEQA violations. We lost and the appeal was denied. I also set up the 501(c)3 Iron Mountain Conservancy in Ramona. 

Public comments on the EIR were due October 29, 2018. It is now March, 2019. The City, County, environmental organizations and citizens wrote very detailed comments regarding the effects the sand mine would have on the community and its people. Hundreds of people showed up for the County’s public hearing and the Lakeside Planning Commission meeting last year to voice concerns. 

By Gig Connaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

March 17, 2019 (Lakeside) - A dead Cooper’s hawk found in Lakeside has tested positive for West Nile virus, making it the first sign this year of the potentially deadly disease in San Diego County.

County Vector Control officials said people should remember to follow the County’s “Prevent, Protect, Report” guidelines—particularly to dump out standing water and to wear insect repellent—to protect themselves from mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile virus and other diseases, such as chikungunya, dengue and Zika.

East County News Service

Photos: Creative Commons images by S.A.

March 17, 2019 (Lakeside) -- River Valley Charter School will hold a craft fair with a Renaissance flair on Saturday, March 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The school is located at 9707 Marilla Drive, Lakeside, CA 92020.

East County News Service

March 3, 2019 (Santee) -- 1000 Lights, a water lantern festival company specializing in events for families, will host a festival at Santee Lakes on March 23 from 4 to 8 p.m.  Thousands of attendees will launch their lanterns at 7 p.m., just after dusk, to enjoy an incredible view of the water.

East County News Service

February 28, 2019 (Lakeside) — Lakeside Sheriff’s substation will hold a Coffee with the Community event on Tuesday, March 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lakeside Community Center, 9841 Vine St., Lakeside.

“Community outreach is a top priority of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.  Members of the community should feel comfortable bringing problems related to safety and security to our staff,” a press release from the Sheriff’s department states.